Author Topic: 7/30 Waters first time user (Read 837 times)

Gman · « **on:** May 10, 2003, 03:28:21 AM »

New to Contenders and pistol shooting in general. Just purchased a 7/30 Waters barrel and 3x12 Burris scope. Took Contender to the range the other day and sighted it in. Started at 25 yards trying to make it easy for the first shot to be on the paper somewhere. Much to my surprise the first shot was at 9 oclock 2 inches out of the bullseye. I fired two more and got a very tight group. Adusted scope and fired another tight 3 shot group. Moved a target out to 100 yards and fired two 3 shot 1 inch groups. I didn't know it was possible to shoot a pistol that well. To say I am pleased would be an understatement! I used 30 grains of IMR 3031 and Sierra 130 grain ssp bullets. Just a starting load. Can it be possible to improve on that? I can't shoot a rifle that well! I know I am just a rookie and an old one at that (64) but am afraid I have already become a Contendernut! I am going to try a post a pic of my sight in target. If it works ok, if it don't I won't be surprised. Computer whiz I ain't!
http://photos.imageevent.com/barbandharry/tccontenderpictures/icons/Scan034_XMayX08_X2003.jpg

Dogshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2003, 09:24:37 AM »

Welcome to the club, G Man. I have a 7-30 that I bought a while back that I will be using for Antelope this year and a 35 Remington I'll be using for Elk. I'm getting close to 1" groups with both using all factory ammo. You should be able to tighten them up a bit if you take the time to work up a load for your outfit. Good luck with it.....

PJ · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2003, 04:58:18 PM »

Another good load is 34grs of IMR4064 with a 120gr NBT.You mite want to try some 139gr SST's as well.If you want some fun try some 175gr S.P. my buddy hunts everything with the 175's He gets 1" and less most of the time with the 175's The 7x30 is the best Contender round going.

bayrunner · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2003, 05:49:57 PM »

Hey guys ___ Whats the heaviest game and furthest distance you would go with the 175gr. THANKS BAYRUNNER

PJ · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2003, 07:37:07 PM »

Like I said, my buddy uses the 175's for everything meaning BIG game 120's for the small things.When I say BIG game I mean blackbear,elk,deer and so on.I have yet to see him take two shots at an animal.Most drop in their tracks or close to but no more than 40 or so yards.He keeps his shots to 150 yards and under but ,he said, 100 yards is his max.Unless he knows he can make the kill shot. I saw him take a five point bull at 125 yards a few years ago with the 175's.That bull took four steps and droped.Exit wound was the size of two bit's.I would say the 7x30 is far better than most think.

hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2003, 01:22:34 PM »

gman i have a 14" 7x30. with 31grains of imr3031 and speer 130sp i get .23" groups at 50 yds. with 33 grs. groupsgo to .53" . imr 4895 33grs. with same bullet .3" @ 50yds. 140gr. nosler partition with 33.5 grs. imr 4895 gives .5" @50 yds. know thats my barrel and i seat bullets out to 2.79" c.o.l. .003 of lands. hope this helps, good luck :wink:

wheelgun · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2003, 01:47:02 AM »

Gman, I have two 7-30 tubes and both are very accurate.I have shot mule deer and whitail.The 7-30 is one of the best factory tubes you can get (my thinking).It will shoot any thing you feed it nearly.Have fun.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2003, 04:15:20 AM »

Gman. The only experience I have had with the 7-30 Waters was in a 10" Contender. That barrel just plain shot, and shot well. My load pushed a 120gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip at 2258 FPS from the Muzzle with W-748. Accuracy was right at the 1" range or slightly under for 5 shots at 100 yards. The cartridge is quite easy to load for, and quite few different powders and bullets perform quite well in it.

The only problem I had was the shooters fault, and not the cartridge or the load. I pushed it to its limits in taking a shot in which the impact velocity had fallen to 1700 FPS. I did get lucky though and hit the shoulder bone on the Whitetail Buck, and he dropped in his tracks. The problem was had I not hit bone I do not think the bullet hit with enough velocity to expand properly in soft tissue. As it was the bullet clipped the top of both shoulders and exited with about a 50 cent piece size exit wound. IMHO had I been using a Super 14 Contender instead of the 10" version I think the impact velocity would have been enough greater to make the difference at this extended range.

Other Whitetails taken a shorter ranges with more impact velocity showed a different story. Bullet performance was like it should have been even when bone was not hit. Out of 4 Deer taken with the above mention Handgun and Load that season, the farthest any one of the Whitetails traveled was 50 yards after ths shot.

YEP the 7-30 Waters is probably one of the best cartridges for the Contender for its intended size game. Use the right bullet, and put it in the right place and you'll be enjoying venison all winter.

Good luck and keep practicing.

Larry